The Lust Boat Read Online Free PDF Page A

close in his protective embrace, they made their way to Dionysus.
    The wine bar, decorated to resemble a grape arbor complete with secluded niches for private trysts, was the least shocking of all the bars onboard. Candace spent a good deal of time admiring the Dionysus statue in the center of the room.
    “Is this real?” she asked.
    “It’s a reproduction. The original is in the Louvre.” He steered her to one of the more secluded alcoves. A lattice wall covered by twining grape vines concealed the round burgundy velvet sofa. Candace leaned back and tucked her legs to one side. Ryan joined her. A waitress dressed as a nymph approached with a plate of grapes, assorted cheeses and crackers. They ordered a bottle of white wine and nibbled from the tray while they waited.
    Candace sighed. “This is nice. I like the music, it’s relaxing.”
    “Flutes, similar to the aulos of ancient Greece. This is the quietest place on the ship, except for the night of the Bacchanal.”
    “What happens then?”
    “That’s when the nymphs become maenads and this place goes wild. You might like it.”
    “Why would I like it?”
    “The women are in charge. They choose who they’ll be with and dictate what happens between them.”
    “You’ve been to one?”
    “Once.” That night and the following morning were permanently etched in his brain. He’d woken up naked with two maenads and a passenger in one of the secluded arbors. What bothered him wasn’t the fact he was nude in a public place, but that he didn’t have a clue who any of the women were. They hadn’t shared names, but they had shared their bodies. It was in that moment Ryan realized he wanted more.
    He wanted to wake up with someone who knew his name, who knew him. He wanted to share more than a physical connection. Since that day he ventured out of his tower room, as Richard called it, to take care of his physical needs when they became unbearable, and he scanned the faces of every woman coming aboard for a spark of interest, any indication they were different than the masses of sex-crazed passengers who regularly filled the cabins of the Lothario . Until today, no one had come close to capturing his interest.
    “I’ll never forget it.”
    “What happened?”
    He took her hand in his and laced their fingers together. He wasn’t about to tell her about his epiphany, but he could tell her about the night he’d spent. He’d had a great time fucking everything in sight until he’d heard Richard’s voice over the loudspeaker announcing that the ship had docked. “Those innocent looking nymphs transform into sex-starved maenads. They run wild with wreaths of grape leaves on their heads and little else, demanding sex with anyone they desire--and they desire everyone. Wine flows freely and inhibitions are left in staterooms.”
    “It’s an orgy.”
    “Yes. I didn’t want to use that word, but yes, that’s what it is.”
    “Why do you think I should attend?”
    He didn’t want to think about Candace with anyone but him, but if she came to the Bacchanal, he’d be there. Maybe she’d leave her inhibitions in her cabin. He’d like nothing better. “Because I’ll be here.” With one hand on her cheek, he held her face for his kiss. His lips touched hers, whisper soft at first. Her lips parted, allowing his tongue to sweep in. She tasted of sweet wine and sweeter woman. He’d never get enough of her. He pulled her closer and wrapped his other arm around her shoulders. She sank against him with a sigh and kissed him back. Her lips moved against his. She thrust her tongue past his lips and they dueled, parrying and thrusting in an age-old war. When they parted, both were breathing hard. Ryan dropped his forehead to hers, his palm still pressed against her cheek. “If you go to the Bacchanal I’ll be there. I wouldn’t go again for anyone but you.”
    “I’ll think about it,” she whispered. She brought one hand up to caress his face. Her tender touch